21-104771-Response Letter-01-21-2022-V1
January 21, 2022 Job No. 1886-001-016-0016
Mr. Jim Harris
Senior Planner
City of Federal Way
33325 8th Ave S
Federal Way, WA 98003
RE: Woodbridge Business Park (City File #17-105489-UP)
Shoreline Substantial Development Permit (21-104771)
Dear Mr. Harris:
This letter is written on behalf of Federal Way Campus, LLC to provide additional information
to the Notice of Incomplete Application received from AHBL dated December 22, 2021.
The applicant is seeking to expand the existing road, Weyerhaeuser Way S, by approximately
9 feet as a condition of approval for the Woodbridge Business Park project. Approximately 225
LF of this expansion of Weyerhaeuser Way S falls within the 200-foot Shoreline Management
Zone surrounding North Lake. The area of impact by the road expansion, within the Shoreline
Management Zone is 2,676 SF and will require approximately 360 CY of fill material. Please
see the site plan attached with this application for further details.
The expansion is necessary to meet frontage improvements anticipated to be required by the
City under the Woodbridge Business Park application, currently under review (City File #17-
105489).
Decisional Criteria (FWRC 15.05.150(3)
In an effort to provide concise and direct responses, we have copied the code sections below in
italics and added our responses in bold.
(3) A substantial development permit shall be granted by the director only when the
development proposed is consistent with the following:
(a) Goals, objectives, policies, and use regulations of Federal Way shoreline master
program;
Goal 1. Shoreline areas shall permit a variety of development types in accordance with
the FWRC, FWCP, and Shoreline Master Plan designations. Designs, densities, and
locations for all allowed uses and developments should consider physical and natural
features of the shoreline and prevent a net loss of shoreline ecological functions.
Mr. Jim Harris
January 21, 2022
Page 2
The proposed project will follow the type of development required by the Federal Way
Comprehensive Plan: Weyerhaeuser Way as a principal collector. The required road
expansion has been designed in a way that considers the physical and natural features
of the shoreline. The applicant is proposing to split the expansion required between
two parcels.
SMPP69 Develop standards, buffers, and mitigation requirements for designated
critical areas in the shoreline consistent with city-wide regulations.
The project proposes to follow mitigation requirements. The mitigation techniques for
the project are described in the “Critical Areas Mitigation Plan” by Wet.land, dated
September 2021. The plan can be found with this submittal.
All new development and activity in or adjacent to shoreline areas should be designed,
constructed, and operated as to avoid significant adverse impacts to ground or surface
water quality. Use of state and local best management practices and guidance should
be implemented to avoid significant adverse impacts to water quality.
The project has been designed to avoid significant adverse impacts to ground water
quality. See “Preliminary Technical Information Report” by ESM Consulting Engineers,
dated November 2021.
SMPP95 New surface transportation development should be designed to provide the
best possible service with the least possible infringement upon shoreline areas.
The road expansion was designed to provide a symmetrical cross section, which will
also create the least possible infringement on the shoreline area. The design splits the
required expansion in half.
SMPP100 Shoreline circulation routes should provide for non-motorized means of
travel and should incorporate multimodal provisions where public safety can be
assured.
The expansion of Weyerhaeuser Way will lead to the addition of bike lanes to the
existing road. The expansion will also allow for the installation of 8’ wide sidewalks with
a planter as a separation between motorized traffic.
(b) Federal Way comprehensive plan and city code; and
The Federal Way Comprehensive Plan- Transportation Chapter (Map III-4) designates
Weyerhaeuser Way S as a principal collector (Type K). Weyerhaeuser Way is currently
developed as a 60’ wide right-of-way (ROW). However, the principal collector standard
requires a 78’ wide ROW. Therefore, in order for the project to meet FWRC
19.135.230, the project must expand the road by 9’ on each side of the existing road.
A portion of the required expansion falls within the 200-foot Shoreline Management
Zone.
(iv) Transportation and parking facilities. Allowed within urban conservancy designated
areas under the requirements imposed by FWRC 15.05.080(5)(a)(v).
Mr. Jim Harris
January 21, 2022
Page 3
The road expansion will be developed consistently with the transportation element of
the Federal Way comprehensive plan (FWCP) and designed to provide the best
service with the least possible impact on shoreline ecological function.
(c) The policies, guidelines, and regulations of the Shoreline Management Act
(Chapter 90.58 RCW and Chapters 173-26 and 173-27 WAC).
The proposed road expansion follows the policies, guidelines, and regulations of the
Shoreline Management act (Chapter 90.58 RCW and Chapters 173-26 and 173-27
WAC).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 253-838-6113, and I look forward
to your response.
Sincerely,
ESM CONSULTING ENGINEERS, LLC
ERIC G. LaBRIE, A.I.C.P.
President
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